Aerial footage shows moment RAF Typhoon strikes Yemen military target
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The US has carried out a second round of airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, a day after American and British forces mounted their first attacks.
Earlier on Friday, a fresh missile attack on a Red Sea ship was reported after Houthi rebels warned that British interests were “legitimate targets” following the RAF and the US unleashing airstrikes.
The overnight bombardment by US and UK warplanes, ships and submarines was launched in response to weeks of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships in the vital Red Sea.
The Houthis vowed fierce retaliation. Military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said the strikes would “not go unanswered or unpunished”.
And on Friday evening, the UK Maritime Trade Operations, which oversees Middle East waters, reported a new missile attack off Yemen.
It said the missile was fired towards a ship 90 miles southeast of Aden, Yemen, but the ship reported no injuries or damage.
A British maritime security firm said the militants had mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil.
Houthi labels UK and US as aggressors
The Houthis’ Supreme Political Council threatened in a statement that “all American-British interests have become legitimate targets for the Yemeni armed forces”.
They called the airstrikes a “direct and declared aggression against the Republic of Yemen” and labelled the UK and the US “aggressors”.
Supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the US and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen 12 January 2024
Britain tells Iran to ‘cease and desist’ after strikes on Tehran-backed Houthis
Defence secretary Grant Shapps has told Iran to urge its allies to “cease and desist” after Britain joined the US in launching airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Mr Shapps yesterday warned that the world is “running out of patience” with Tehran’s destabilising activities, calling for it to be “clearer with its many proxies” in the Middle East.
Overnight on Thursday, the UK and the US bombed military facilities used by the Houthis in response to the militants’ attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The Hamas-backing Houthis claim they are targeting vessels linked to Israel in one of the world’s busiest shipping routes over the war in Gaza.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak insisted Britain and the US acted “in self-defence” and that allies would not hesitate to ensure the safety of commercial shipping.
Why UK and US are attacking Yemen’s rebels
The targets hit, the weapons used, why the Red Sea matters and will matters escalate – details here:
US military strike another Houthi-controlled site after risk to Red Sea ships
The US military is carrying out an additional strike against the Houthis in Yemen, a day after launching a wave of attacks on nearly 30 locations in the country to degrade the Houthis’ ability to strike Red Sea shipping, reported Reuters and AP, citing anonymous US officials.
Conflict raises spectre of rising oil prices, inflation
The price of Brent crude oil rose more than $2 on Friday on concern that supplies could be disrupted but later gave up half its gain.
Joe Biden yesterday said he was “very concerned” about the impact of war in the Middle East on oil prices.
Commercial ship-tracking data showed at least nine oil tankers stopping or diverting from the Red Sea.
The strikes follow months of raids by Houthi fighters, who have boarded ships they claimed were Israeli or heading for Israel. Many of the vessels had no known connection to Israel.
Parade for new recruits whom Houthis say to send to Gaza
The United States and some allies sent a naval task force in December, and recent days saw increasing escalation. On Tuesday, the United States and Britain shot down 21 missiles and drones.
However, not all major US allies chose to back the strikes inside Yemen.
The Netherlands, Australia, Canada and Bahrain provided logistical and intelligence support, while Germany, Denmark, New Zealand and South Korea signed a joint statement defending the attacks and warning of further action.
But Italy, Spain and France chose not to sign or participate, fearing a wider escalation.
Joe Biden labels Houthis as terrorist
Joe Biden, whose administration removed the Houthis from a State Department list of “foreign terrorist organisations” in 2021, was asked by reporters if he felt the term “terrorist” described the movement now.
“I think they are,” he said.
President Joe Biden boards Air Force One for Allentown, Pennsylvania
‘US is the devil’ say Houthi rebels as Yemeni locals protest
Drone footage on the Houthis’ al-Masirah TV showed hundreds of thousands of people in Sanaa chanting slogans denouncing Israel and the United States.
“Your strikes on Yemen are terrorism,” said Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi Supreme Political Council. “The United States is the Devil.”
‘At least five Houthi fighters killed’
The Houthis, who have controlled most of Yemen for nearly a decade, said five fighters were killed, but they vowed to continue their attacks on regional shipping.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations information hub said it had received reports of a missile landing in the sea around 500m (1,600ft) from a ship about 90 nautical miles southeast of the Yemeni port of Aden.
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi supreme political council, speaks while holding a gun, as supporters of the Houthi movement rally to denounce air strikes launched by the US and Britain on Houthi targets, in Sanaa, Yemen 12 January 2024
The shipping security firm Ambrey identified it as a Panama-flagged tanker carrying Russian oil.
‘Military strikes target Houthis’ ability to store weapons’
White House spokesperson John Kirby said the strikes by the US military had targeted the Houthis’ ability to store, launch and guide missiles or drones, which the group has used in recent months to threaten Red Sea shipping.
The Pentagon said the US-British assault reduced the Houthis’ capacity to launch fresh attacks. The US military said 60 targets in 28 sites were hit.
Opinion: Why UK must strike rebels again
Giving up after just one round would underline real strategic weakness after a tactical show of strength, writes General Sir Richard Barrons:
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2024-01-13 06:45:52Z
CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvbWlkZGxlLWVhc3QveWVtZW4taG91dGhpLWJvbWJpbmctcmViZWxzLXN0cmlrZS1uZXdzLWIyNDc3OTMzLmh0bWzSAQA
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